A Hopeful Heart Read Free

her speechless. “How did you
     know?”
    Amanda shrugged. “Sometimes
Onkel
Josh reminds me of
Dat.
”
    “I see the resemblance too.” Lillian dried a plate. “He looks like
Dat
and sometimes he even sounds like him.”
    Hannah wiped the table. “
Ya
, he does sometimes.”
But he’s not my Gid.
The thought made tears fill her eyes. She cleared her throat. “Who’s hosting the
     youth gathering on Saturday?”
    “Katie Esh,” Lillian said.
    The girls discussed their friends while Hannah finished cleaning the table. She enjoyed
     listening to them discuss their social lives and hearing their excitement when they
     talked about attending singings. As she listened, she thought back to when she was
     their age. She also attended singings, which was where she fell in love with Gideon.
    Hannah was sweeping the kitchen floor when Andrew and Joshua returned from outside.
    “
Danki
for your help, Andrew.” Joshua touched Andrew’s head. “You’re a
gut
worker.”
    “
Gern gschehne.
See you tomorrow!” Andrew trotted through the kitchen.
    “Get ready for devotions, Andrew,” Hannah called after him.
    “I know!” Andrew’s voice echoed from the staircase.
    Joshua chuckled. “I wish I had his energy.”
    “
Ya
, I know.” Hannah smiled. “Would you like to stay for devotions?”
    “Thanks for the offer, but I need to get home.”
    “Okay. I’ll walk you out.” Hannah followed him to the porch where they stood by the
     steps. “Are you going to talk to Daniel tomorrow?”
    “
Ya.
” Joshua leaned against the railing and towered over her by a few inches. “He wanted
     to discuss it with his parents, but he was
froh
with the salary.”
    “
Gut.
” Hannah folded her arms over her apron. “He’s a
gut
young man. I’m certain he’ll work hard for you. You’ve needed help for a long time.”
    “
Ya
.” He frowned. “But I wish you didn’t have to work so that we can pay him. Gideon
     would not be pleased that you have to be away from your
kinner.
”
    “Don’t be
gegisch.
” She dismissed his comment with a wave. “Things are different now that Gid is gone.
     The girls are older. Lillian only teaches on days when I’m home, so she’s here for
     Andrew when I’m working. I like my job, and the pay is
gut.
It’s important that you have a man working with you out in the stables. The horses
     are our bread and butter.”
    “I know, but I’m certain Gideon wouldn’t have approved.” Joshua’s eyes studied her.
     “You know I love your
kinner
like they were my own. I would do anything for them.”
    Hannah shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I know, and the
kinner
love you too.”
    “If you ever need anything, you know I will be here.” He stepped toward her. “Anything
     at all, Hannah.”
    “Danki.” Hannah took a step back toward the door. “It’s late, Josh. I’ll see you tomorrow.
Gut nacht.
”
    “
Gut nacht.
”
    Joshua headed toward his buggy, parked by the barn, and Hannah watched his lanky body
     move through the shadows of the early evening. Although Joshua had been a wonderful
     support to her and her children since Gideon had died, he didn’t warm her heart as
     her husband had. She often sensed a longing in his intense blue eyes, but she couldn’t
     feel more than friendship for him.
    Hannah contemplated her husband and brother-in-law while she watched Joshua’s horse
     and buggy bounce down her rock driveway toward the road. She’d grown up and gone to
     church and school with Gideon and Joshua. Gideon was two years older than she was
     and Joshua was a year younger. But it was Gideon who’d stolen her heart when she turned
     sixteen and joined his youth group. She couldn’t resist his infectious laugh and warm
     smile, coupled with his sense of humor and bright blue eyes the color of the sky.
     He’d rented this land and the house from his parents and then asked his brother to
     be his business partner when he opened the horse farm.
    Hannah